Hidrosis

Hidrosis is a medical term wherein the body produces sweat. The sweat is produced by specialized skin structures called the sweat glands. The sweat glands secrete an oily, viscous, odorless fluid that is comprised mainly of water and then few amounts of solutes.

Hidrosis or sweating is triggered by different stimuli. It can be triggered by external cues. A hot and humid environment would activate the temperature-sensitive region of the brain, which then leads to the activation of the sweating mechanism of the body. Sweating renders a cooling effect to the body when the sweat evaporates. Apart from the external cues, certain physiological factors also lead to hidrosis. One example is physical exercise wherein sweating is triggered as a result of increased metabolism from increased physical activity. Another example is emotional factors, such as during conditions of emotional stress, fear, anxiety, and pain. Sweating may be triggered by these factors in spite of a cool ambient temperature. However, this type of sweating due to emotional factors mostly occurs on palms and soles of the body. Ingesting food can also incite hidrosis, particularly when the food is spicy or hot. Capsaicin in spicy food stimulates sweating especially in the face, scalp and neck.